Ryan describes Akin comment as 'outrageous'

Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) said Rep. Todd Akin's (R-Mo.) comments on rape are "outrageous."

"His statements were outrageous, over the pale. I don’t know anybody who would agree with that. Rape is rape, period, end of story," Ryan, Mitt Romney's vice presidential nominee, said in an interview with Pittsburgh's KDKA radio station.

Several prominent Republicans have expressed outrage over Akin's comment that the female body has ways of terminating a pregnancy if it is the result of "legitimate rape." And many have called for Akin to step down as Missouri's Senate nominee.

Akin said Wednesday morning on the "Today Show" that Ryan called him and "advised" him to step down from his Senate candidacy. 

The lawmaker has so far refused to give in to pressure from his party. He did not withdraw before Tuesday evening's deadline but could still exit the race, although the process becomes more complicated as the election gets closer.

In the same KDKA interview, Ryan was asked if he thought abortions should be available to rape victims.

"Well, look, I’m proud of my pro-life record. And I stand by my pro-life record in Congress," Ryan said. "It’s something I’m proud of. But Mitt Romney is the top of the ticket and Mitt Romney will be president and he will set the policy of the Romney administration."

Romney has previously said that he supported the availability of abortions to victims of rape.  In the past, Ryan has not supported that position.

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